Inbred

First of all I want to apologize for leaving everyone hanging like this but for the past week I've been having trouble writing, almost like I forgot how and I've been feeling really incompetent and I was having trouble finding the right words and it was becoming more difficult to express myself properly. I've also started a few other fanfics so while I'm working on each fic none of them are being completed, ha...this is what I didn't want to happen.

Anyway, I'm slowly getting back into it and I managed to finish this chapter plus the first chapter for another fic I'd like to post sometime soon.

I don't know why but this chapter isn't one of my favourites either...maybe because it's a little too angsty...I dunno. You be the judge. (Is angst even the right word to use in this case?)


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Chapter 46


"Who was that?" Naruto asked inquisitively when Sasuke stomped angrily back into the living-room and uncerimoniously slammed the phone back into it's base.

"Wrong number," he ground out before staring at the receiver as if it was suddenly the most hated piece of electronic equipment known to mankind.

Naruto knew damned well that it hadn't been a wrong number and as much as he wanted to punch whoever it was that had the gall to upset his friend especially after he already had so many things to be upset about he chose to let it rest.

Sasuke plopped back into his previous seat next to Shikamaru and crossed his arms over his chest and Naruto could have sworn he saw the tiniest hint of a pout splayed across his thin lips. He almost looked like a child deprived of his toys and sent to the corner and Naruto was now very curious as to the nature of Sasuke's telephone conversation and the person that was on the other end.

Shikamaru could tell the boy was distressed , he'd never seen the Uchiha like this, he usually always had it together but something or someone (besides Neji) had managed to get under his skin. He didn't ask, it wasn't any of his business as far as he was concerned but he couldn't help feeling just the tiniest bit curious.

"Is Neji going to be alright?" he asked, shifting his interest towards the Hyuuga.

Sasuke sighed heavily and wiped his face with one hand. "He'll be fine," he replied, his voice muffled somewhat behind his palm.

"Don't beat yourself up about this, Uchiha. You had no idea this was going to happen."

Sasuke nodded at his words offered in support but they brought no comfort in the least. Shikamaru knew he was feeling guilty about the whole thing and it wasn't fair for him to shoulder this burden. The important thing was that he was still alive...that Neji was still alive and after the accident, along with the tragedy at the hospital, he should be feeling grateful not remorseful.

"Shikamaru's right, Sasuke," Naruto concurred and reached out to give his friend a reassuring pat on the knee. "It's not your fault, so stop blaming yourself." Sasuke nodded to that as well and made an effort to appease his guilt-stricken conscience, a privilege it would not allow.

Shikamaru rose to his feet and Shino followed suit, they could tell the boy would be needing some time alone to heal, besides, they'd already done what they came to do and were now overstaying their visit. "Take care, you two," he said with a sympathetic nod of the head before making his way towards the door. He reached out for the knob then stopped and as if suddenly remembering something turned to face the forlorn Uchiha. "You and Neji won't be able to attend classes for a while, obviously?"

Sasuke pondered on that for a moment. While he was physically capable to resume his academic attendance he knew he'd have trouble concentrating on his work. He also knew for certain that Neji was unable to go back to classes anytime soon and he'd like to be around to help the boy recuperate, his brother's words also came back to him and he remembered it was his responsibility to keep a constant vigil over Neji.

"No," was his one-word reply.

Shikamaru nodded his head in understanding. "Shino and I will take notes for you."

"Thanks, I'll owe you one."

The Nara boy shook his head and raised one hand in refusal. "It's bothersome but, think of it as a favor for a friend."

Sasuke met the sincerity of the Nara's eyes with his surprised own and he started to see him in a whole new light. For as long as he could remember whenever someone offered to do him a favor they always expected something from him in return whether it was a date or a monetary donation but Shikamaru had offered his assistance just because they were friends.

He'd never thought of him as a friend, sure he'd been someone to talk to when Neji was giving him the cold shoulder but he'd never seen him as more than a class-mate or an acquaintance at best.

Sasuke suddenly felt regret. How long had Shikamaru felt this way towards him? How long had he been ignorant to the fact that there were other people besides Naruto and Neji who cared about him? Had he lost that much faith in people, become so isolated within himself and so absorbed in his little world that he failed to recognize when another human being had reached out to him?

A weak smile touched his lips and he cast heavy eyes towards the floor. "Thanks," he muttered.

"Like I said, 'Don't mention it'," he sighed and stuffed his hands into his pants pocket. "Just get well soon. We'll pass by again after classes then pop over to Neji and see how he's doing," and he grimaced at the thought of having to interact with the Hyuuga even if it was just to say 'Hi, how are you?'.

"Actually, Neji's staying with me," Sasuke confessed and pointed a thumb over his finger in the direction of his bedroom before adding, "just until he's well enough to live on his own again." Shikamaru had to stifle a knowing grin and Shino nodded at his hospitality towards the impossible Hyuuga. He imagined the Uchiha was feeling responsible for Hyuuga's injuries and made it his charge to oversee his recovery and the Nara knew it was the perfect excuse to have them share the same bed.

"We'll let the professors know you won't be in attendance for a while," the lazy punk said on a chuckle and reached out for the doorknob again, his other hand lifted in a wave. "Ja ne!"

Shino nodded in farewell and followed his room-mate out while Naruto and Sasuke said their 'See you laters'.

The door clicked shut and Naruto turned to face the boy who was now leaning against the couch, with his head tossed over the back. "You gonna be okay?"

Sasuke sighed heavily and looked up at the over-head light fixture. "Aoh!" he replied and wondered how many times he was going to be asked that question, how many times he was going to have to lie in response.

The truth was, Sasuke wasn't sure he wanted to feel 'okay'. He wanted to wallow in contrition and he refused to allow himself penitence until Neji forgave him.

It was all his fault and even though eveyone tried to convince him it wasn't he couldn't bring himself to believe that.

Sasuke sighed again and rose from the sofa then padded quietly into his bedroom, followed closely by Naruto. He swallowed hard when he took in the sleeping form on his bed and his heart ached. He slowly approached the supine figure and gingerly took a seat on the mattress, wincing when the bed shifted and hoped that he hadn't disturbed his slumber.

Neji remained asleep and his body continued to rise and fall rhythmically with his even breathing. Sasuke reached out one hand and gently brushed away the strands of hair that clung to his face and his stomach churned when it revealed a pale, tear-streaked face.

He bit his lip and he felt a sharp stinging in the corners of his eyes.

"He's actually kinda cute when he's asleep like that." Sasuke thought that whispered voice was a manifestation of his inner musings but it was only Naruto who was standing next to him. Sasuke nodded in agreement and brushed his knuckles against a damp cheek. There was a reassuring pat on his shoulder and he heard the other boy turn to exit the room, leaving the two dark-haired men alone.

Sasuke stayed by his side for over an hour and watched him sleep and occasionally ran his fingers across his forehead, temples and lips while wiping away wet stains with the pads of his thumbs. Neji remained unconscious throughout his ministrations and Sasuke was eternally grateful for that. He didn't think he could face those eyes right now, he wasn't ready to be confronted with his lover's grief, he knew he would have to eventually but right now, he wasn't prepared for the castigation that was sure to come.

Sasuke parted the dark drapes and opened the window to allow the bright sun and the cool morning air to purge the humidity of his bedroom, the sudden illumination almost giving Neji's pale skin an ethereal glow.

He gathered a large bowl with warm water and a dampened cloth and began to bathe the other boy, washing away the remnants of his tears and wiping away perspiration and dried blood before changing him out of his hospital garb and donning him in a large grey T-shirt and a pair of his favourite boxers.

Sasuke left him so he could get cleaned up as well and found that he experienced a little pain whenever he tried to lift his left arm high above his head. After he'd showered Naruto had a bowl of instant ramen waiting for him and Sasuke downed it without uttering one complaint about the blond's poor nutritional choices.

They didn't speak much, or rather Sasuke didn't say much whenever Nartuo tried to start a conversation so he left the boy alone with his thoughts and headed off to his own classes.

Sasuke spent the majority of his day at Neji's bedside and his concern grew with every passing hour that he remained asleep. He was still breathing, still had a pulse but it had been long over five hours now and Sasuke was getting anxious. He didn't want to forcefully wake him since he was sure his body was recuperating on its own but he wondered if he was hungry especially since he hadn't eaten since early yesterday.

Neji sobbed lightly and Sasuke leaned closer and realized that he was crying.

"Neji?" he whispered softly and gave his lover's arm a small shake. He didn't stir and Sasuke assumed he was having a bad dream. He climbed into the bed and burrowed under the sheets so he could cuddle behind him spoon fashion and wrap a possessive arm around his thin waist. He whispered gentle words of encouragement into his beloved's ear and planted reassuring kisses into his hair, neck and shoulders.

"It's okay, koi. I'm here." He wasn't sure if he could hear him through the fog of his nightmare but his tears soon stopped and his strained sobs melted into faint hiccups before ceasing completely and even then Sasuke didn't release him, he kept him in his arms until he too fell asleep and was awakened by a rude finger poking him in his back.

He grunted and tried to roll over onto his stomach, his movement inhibited by the boy in his arms. He was poked again and his dark eyes fluttered opened and he turned his head to meet apologetic, cerulean eyes.

"Naruto, what is it?" he rasped and blinked his eyes against the strong rays of the afternoon sun.

"Sorry to wake you, Sasuke," he said quietly, not wanting to awaken the Hyuuga boy. "But there's a guy on the phone that says he wants to talk to you. I wanted to tell him you were sleeping but it sounds kinda important."

Sasuke groaned at the concept of having to get up especially since he was feeling so lethargic but he did so and followed Naruto into the living room where he picked up the cordless receiver and Naruto slipped into a chair while pretending not to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Uchiha," he muttered in greeting before stifling a yawn behind his free hand.

"Sorry did I wake you?"

Sasuke shook his head in response and also in an attempt to clear the haze of his drowsiness. "No, it's okay. What's up, Danzo?"

He could actually hear the man grinning from the other end as he spoke. "I told you I'd have that kid's address before the end of today, didn't I?" he replied smugly and Sasuke chuckled at his hubristic tone of voice.

Good-old, reliable Danzo.

"Just a minute let me get a pen," and Sasuke placed the call on hold while he snatched the 'To Do List' notepad from his fridge and a pencil that he kept in a nearby drawer. "Yeah, shoot!"

"It's 1-5-3-8 Inari Road, Third Avenue in the Tazuna Province."

"Got it!" he said after scribbling off the address.

"It's a pretty swanky neighborhood," the older man continued. "Not many people live there, just dignitaries and such. Not surprising since the boy attends Kuni."

Sasuke stared at his handwriting on the yellow slip of paper and a thought came to him as he re-read the address. "What's a privileged kid like that doing walking home along the highway, and so late after school hours?" he mumbled, more to himself than the detective.

"I'll be sure to ask him that when I pay him a little visit."

"No, I've got this one," he said determinedly and stuffed the piece of paper into his pants pocket.

"You sure?" the man asked uncertainty evident in his tone. "I mean with classes and everything are you going to find time?"

"I'm taking sick-leave so I've got the time," Sasuke admitted with a careless shrug. "Besides, you've already got your hands full."

The other man was unsure whether he should try and talk the boy out of it but he really didn't see the harm in letting him play detective, since he had an understanding of which relevant questions he needed answers to . "That's the spirit," he chortled. "It should be pretty easy since he's a kid and everything, just don't come across as being too aggressive and try to smile, if you're friendly he'll open up more."

Sasuke stifled a groan at the advice but thanked the man all the same before ending the call. He didn't feel like smiling or having to entertain some kid by playing the role of 'Big Brother', but he supposed he could benefit from the experience for when he had children of his own...

Sasuke sighed deeply, a habit he was beginning to enjoy a little too much, and tried not to think about the lost opportunity. There would be others, provided Neji still loved him after all this, that is. He didn't know why he kept thinking along those lines, why he imagined that Neji probably hated him but he remembered when he had pulled away from him in the hospital and remembered when he said he didn't want to go along with him for the ride, and if he'd just respected his wishes and not forced him to come along then this wouldn't have happened and he knew Neji had every right to blame him for the loss of their baby.

He fought back the tears that threatened to come when he was suddenly washed over with guilt again and Sasuke focused his concentration on the task at hand.

"Where're you going, Sasuke?" his inquisitive friend asked as he watched him collect his coat and his keys and headed towards the door.

"I need to run an errand," he replied flatly and shrugged into his jacket before leaving a few instructions with his room-mate from over his shoulder. "Stay here with Neji. Don't leave 'til I get back and don't let anyone into the apartment."

"W-Wait Sasuke," his friend called out just as he unlocked the door and placed his hand on the knob. "What if Mizuki comes back?"

Sasuke didn't think they'd have a reason to make two surprise visits, and if they had to get Sarutobi-sama's permission the first time he didn't think the old man would grant it again so soon. Students still had certain rights and their privacy had to be respected even if they were under suspicion of breaking the rules.

"If he does tell him I said to 'Fuck off!'."

Naruto shifted uncomfortably and nodded his head. Sasuke alerted him he'd be back in just a few hours and gave him another reminder he was no to leave Neji alone before he stepped into the hall and tripped on an object to land, face-first, into a puddle of gift-baskets, teddy-bears and get-well cards.

"Oh, by the way, watch your step," came Naruto's extremely late warning and Sasuke grunted as he yanked a basket from under him that was lodged beneath his ribs. He got to his feet and stepped over the clutter. Word had spread fast within the school apparently and already his fan-base was sending their love and support.

"Eh, I should probably move that stuff, huh?" the blond suggested with an embarrassed chuckle and his friend shot him a look that said 'Please do' before he made his way downstairs while nursing the sharp pain in his ribs.

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